2020… I never imagined there would be a global pandemic in my lifetime, and I definitely didn’t anticipate living through one with 2 kids at home. It’s been stressful, to say the least. Juggling working from home while also watching the kids has been hard. Sometimes it feels like I’m only giving partial effort to any one thing: working, cleaning, parenting, my relationship, self-care… It’s really hard to give 100% when there are no breaks and everyone is home all the time.
Juggling working from home while also watching the kids has been hard
And if parents are feeling the stress, it’s no wonder that kids are too. We literally picked them up from school one day and told them they wouldn’t be returning for an undetermined amount of time. They don’t get to see their friends, family visits have either stopped or changed drastically for most of us, and the routine they used to find familiar is gone. We’ve also canceled birthday parties, the playgrounds are closed, and for a while, so were parks, beaches, and almost every other public outdoor space.
Our kids don’t get to see their friends and the routine they used to find familiar is gone.
That’s not easy for littles. They need exercise, they need social interaction, they need stimulation for their brains. And now, parents are responsible for filling all those roles. We’re not only parents anymore; we’re also teachers, friends, chefs, and maids. We’re in charge of PE, and sometimes we’re nurses. Even though we know our kids are struggling, it’s still incredibly difficult to fill all of these roles while still leaving time for ourselves and our other responsibilities outside of parenting.
Kids need exercise, social interaction, and stimulation for their brains. And now, parents are responsible for filling all those roles.
I’ve noticed that Katie in particular has been having a hard time during the shutdown. She’s very social, and very physically active. Since we’ve been home, she has been getting upset about little things, and she has a hard time calming herself down once she gets worked up.
Purrble is an interactive toy that helps facilitate self-soothing behavior
We recently received a Purrble as part of a brand collaboration. Purrble is an interactive toy that helps facilitate self-soothing behavior. Studies show that kids calm themselves down as they calm others, and Purrble fills that role. When Purrble first wakes up, it has a rapid heartbeat. As kids pet its back and sides, the heartbeat gradually slows down to a purr. It has sensors that respond to touch, so if your child starts fidgeting or jostling Purrble again, the heartbeat will speed back up.
Studies show that kids calm themselves down as they calm others
We love that this method of calming is play-based, and it doesn’t make kids feel shamed for their big emotions. I also love that it’s a tool I can use when I’m tapped out. Stopping what I’m doing every few minutes to respond to an outburst is really taxing, and it makes it hard to get things done. That doesn’t mean Purrble will replace the guidance of a parent, but it’s really helpful to be able to hand it to Katie when she’s upset and give her a chance to soothe herself before determining if I need to step in.
Stopping what I’m doing every few minutes to respond to an outburst is really taxing, and it makes it hard to get things done
I was surprised how much I enjoy Purrble too. Petting its soft fur is really soothing to me when I’m stressed. I also noticed, while browsing amazon reviews, that several other adults had Purrbles of their own, so it’s not just for kids. Purrble is 20% off for holiday week (12/1-12/6) as a Prime member exclusive benefit. Click to shop for a Purrble of your own and be on your way to a calmer household.
This method of calming is play-based, and it doesn’t make kids feel shamed for their big emotions
*This post was written as a part of a paid partnership with Purrble. All views and opinions expressed here are my own*
No Comments